Chapter 14: War Hammer: What Do You Mean You Conquered the Bug Race

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Protagonist:

Lin En

Lena

He could no longer, as before, obtain precise information directly through Lena and then slowly lay out his plans himself.

Now, he had to "act out" the process of gathering intelligence, and it had to be fast and accurate,

at least matching his previous peak efficiency, otherwise...

Cooperating with Medusa's Sons meant he had to completely sever any direct physical contact with Lena that might be discovered.

His previous caution became a lifesaving straw.

All communication was conducted through the system's "Communication Function," whose range expanded as Affection Level increased.

Cold, brief, efficient text communication, like an encrypted telegram.

Having planned it out in his mind, he began "acting."

He dispatched Patrol Squads to conduct a high-profile "Net Sweep" in several edge areas of the Seventh District, creating a tense atmosphere.

Then he secretly dispatched Iron Anvil Society members to search for clues in a specific area.

Through Lena, he had already selected a target for Cassius Squad: a Gene Thief Sect hideout.

The hideout was very close to the location the Iron Anvil Society was searching, and the gang members would surely find some traces.

As expected, within half a day, there was progress.

A search squad composed of gang members found a small gathering of Genestealer hybrids.

Although the place was empty when they found it, on the way back they were still attacked by Xenos, suffering heavy casualties.

After handing over the intelligence to Cassius, Lin En proposed that Cassius look for clues himself.

He had already paid enough price, with several of his underlings dead.

Lin En put on an attitude of "If this continues, it will be very difficult for me."

Cassius, like a typical Imperial High Level, cared nothing for such low-end manpower losses.

But Lin En had established a persona of "caring for his soldiers like sons."

Cassius agreed to Lin En's request; the clues Lin En had found were already enough.

Seeing the proposal pass, the corner of Lin En's mouth curved into a faint, barely-there smile.

The performance was very successful.

Ostensibly dispatching official troops to search for traces and scare the snake, secretly searching for Bug Race clues through dark channels.

To increase authenticity, he had Lena dispatch a Knife Worm squad to ambush the Iron Anvil Society members who found the clues.

Then, relying on the persona he had established, he would withdraw from further in-depth investigation on the grounds of "stopping losses."

After all, the more he revealed, the greater the possibility of exposure.

Looking at the twisted Iron Halo behind Cassius, he understood that being cautious was never wrong.

About half a Standard Day later, Cassius found him.

"Abnormal biomass accumulation and Psychic Disturbance detected in the coordinate area.

Preliminary judgment: possibility of a Hatching Nest exists; preparing for action."

Cassius's tone had no change, but Lin En knew he had temporarily passed.

"Your squad is responsible for Outer Area vigilance and clearing secondary passages, sweeping away any low-level Units that might escape.

Core Area: Entry prohibited."

Lin En breathed a sigh of relief, yet also felt a secret awe.

Being prohibited from entering the Core Area meant he could not personally confirm battle details, nor "recover" valuable Biomass immediately.

But it also meant reduced risk, and he immediately accepted the order respectfully.

Day of action.

Lin En led his Patrol Squad, now equipped much better than before, their morale somewhat hollowly elated from "fighting alongside Space Marines."

As local official personnel, they arrived early at the designated Outer Zone to set up defenses.

They blocked several main Pipe exits and ventilation shafts, setting up simple laser tripwires and Vibration Sensors.

The members gripped their Weapons, nervously staring into the deep Darkness.

Then, they heard a low, rhythmic Vibration coming from the metal grid floor beneath their Feet.

Immediately after, heavy, precise footsteps, as if forged from Steel, approached from afar, accompanied by the unique, powerful Humming of the Power Armor Servo System.

Medusa's Sons Squad appeared.

They did not run, but advanced with an efficient and steady pace.

Cassius walked in front, his white Helmet like a guiding lighthouse in the dim light.

Behind him were not only several Space Marines carrying Heat Melt Guns and flamethrowers, but also four full "Ironclad Type" Terminators.

The weapons these Terminators carried were even more astonishing: Assault Cannons paired with Chain Fists.

Lin En even had the illusion of seeing a "small Fearless Mecha."

"No wonder this War Group is on good terms with the oil guys; such equipment and treatment." Lin En silently sighed in his Inner Heart.

They paid no attention to Lin En and his squad, passing straight through the Defensive Line and disappearing into the huge Pipe Entrance leading to the Core Area.

The heavy footsteps gradually faded, finally swallowed by the Silence deep in the Pipe.

Waiting.

Lin En's teammates shifted their feet uneasily, whispering to one another.

Lin En leaned against an ice-cold load-bearing pillar, eyes closed, resting his spirit.

About half an hour later, the silence was broken.

First came faint, muffled explosions, as if from deep underground, making the ground beneath their feet tremble.

Then sharp, inhuman hissing and roaring could be faintly heard.

But they were quickly drowned out by more violent, sustained explosions and roaring.

That was the distinctive air-tearing blast of the Heavy Explosive Gun, unceasing, like a rain of steel pouring down upon Ice Cold Snow Rou Zhi Ti.

And the sharp whistle of air instantly vaporized by high temperature when Heat Melt Weapons were fired.

Even from this far away, in a relatively safe Area, Lin En could imagine how terrifying that scene was.

In the narrow Pipe space, the Bug Swarm might surge from all directions, but what greeted them was a crossfire net with No Dead Angle.

Bombs tore Carapace and flesh apart together, flames devoured all organic matter, and Heat Melt Rays melted metal and creatures alike into boiling liquid.

The sounds of battle lasted less than Ten Minutes before gradually weakening and subsiding.

Replacing them was the crackling after-sound unique to high-temperature scorching.

And a strange breath drifting faintly through the ventilation Pipe, mixed with the smell of char, Ozone, and molten metal.

Lin En's teammates looked at one another, their faces full of awe and lingering fear.

Their Quest was to kill the Xenos that escaped the encirclement in time, avoiding adverse influence.

Now it seemed they were entirely just a decoration.

After a while, heavy footsteps sounded again.

The Sons of Medusa walked out from deep within the Pipe.

Their Power Armor was covered with new stains.

Charred carbides, splattered green slime, and marks left by high-temperature scorching.

But their steps remained stable, their formation remained neat, as if they had just conducted an insignificant battle training.

They silently passed through Lin En's Defensive Line and left directly, leaving no words, not even glancing at these Mortals.

Only after their figures completely disappeared did Lin En order some teammates to cautiously enter the edge of the Battlefield Area.

Conducting "Battlefield Survey" and "Follow-up Cleanup".

What appeared before their eyes was a true "Land of Steel Baptism".

A Pipe section about a hundred meters long, its Side Walls and top covered with honeycomb-like bullet holes and pits and glass-like scabs melted by high temperature.

The Ground was covered with a thick layer of charred matter mixed from ash, metal slag, and carbonized organic matter, rustling underfoot.

Not a single intact Green Skin Corpse of the Bug Race.

The air was scorching, filled with a pungent Smell.

Lin En stood at the Entrance, looking at this Ruins radiating residual heat.

In his heart, besides shock at the Canheads' Combat Power, a deep chill rose.

This kind of fighting, this kind of destructive destruction of the Environment—if Lena's Nest were discovered by them.

Facing this level of heavy firepower saturation strikes, how long could it hold?

He had to understand more.

Perhaps next time, Cassius's Target might be closer to Lena's hiding place.

Or Lena herself; he had to do something to protect Lena well.

He needed to know the specifics of the Core Battle, to assess the tactical details and weapon efficacy of the Sons of Medusa.

And, possible Weaknesses.